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Tips and tricks

Tech Items

ODOM set up information

Determine what you think the wind speed is.
Make a note for future reference.
To step the mast, insert the mast pin usually in the next to last hole in mast step.
Hook forestay hook, hook backstay hook.
Clip clevis pins in holes opposite center of mast on chain plate
Measure shrouds, their lengths should be equal.
Adjust shrouds accordingly and verify with tension gauge (if available)
that the tensions are also equal. They should be firm but not extremely
tight.
Use the backstay and the forestay to adjust fore and aft adjustment of the top of the mast.
Line up the mast with the leading edge of the keel. You want it parallel
Set jib boom so swivel is 5 ¾ inches from bow
Pivot point on boom should be 3 ½ inches from end of boom
Snug up the backstay to firm
The mast should be straight up and down and have very little bend
Attach jib and main sheets
Turn on transmitter
Turn on receiver
Operate rudder check for center
Adjust rudder or fine trim on transmitter if necessary to center rudder
Check sail trim operation
Sheet sail trim in all the way in
Check for near centerline position of main boom
Adjust the mainsheet bowsie if necessary
Check for jib boom alignment. The initial position should be between mast and shroud
Adjust jib sheet bowsie if necessary
Check the height of the jib boom. It should be level or the aft end a
little higher. Adjust height with jib topping lift lower/raise as
necessary
Set camber in jib by adjusting outhaul as necessary to achieve 1 to 1 1/2 inches of depth
Adjust jib halyard tension to achieve just about ¼ inch of play of jib on forestay
Set camber in main so there is approximately 1 to 1 1/2 inches in the foot of the main. Adjust the main outhaul accordingly
Check main Cunningham and halyard tension. It should be snug but not sloppy
Adjust halyard tension and Cunningham as necessary
Turn boat on stand facing just off the wind
Lay boat over slightly on its side on stand to induce sail shape with gravity and wind
To more easily see sail shapes, view the sails from behind boat.
The main should trail back and the top quarter of sail should not fall
off. It should curve back to the stern but not hook to windward.
Adjust the boom vang to close or ease the trailing edge of the main
Once the main shape has been achieved, view main and jib from behind
the boat. The objective now is to shape the jib to match the shape in
the main. Referring to the draft stripes compare shapes of the sails.
Finer adjustment of the jib bowsie may be necessary to help make the sails look the same
Adjust the jib topping lift to elevate the boom to open the top of the
jib, or lower jib boom to close the top of jib to match shape in main.
The goal is to have the draft stripes run parallel or match each other
Ease sails and now launch boat
Sheet sails all the way in and sail boat to weather
The objective now is to determine if the boat has weather or lee helm
and if further sail adjustments are necessary. If the boat is balanced
or has a little weather helm, no adjustment is necessary. If the boat
has lee helm and the main is definitely sheeting all the way in, then an
adjustment to the jib is necessary. This adjustment will usually be to
ease the jib sheet bowsie a little or possibly the jib outhaul.
If the boat has too much weather helm, then the main vang can be eased a
little, the main sheet bowsie can be eased a little, or the mast can be
moved a step or two further forward on the mast step.

Finally, compare boat speed and pointing with other boats.
If boat speed is a little slow, you may ease the outhauls to create
deeper more powerful shapes, or possibly ease the halyards a little. A
shape you want to be able to see in the jib is a knuckle. This is a
prominent deep bend in the jib, just aft of the forestay.
If you need better pointing, try more jib halyard tension or a little
more backstay. Pointing without speed is not good. The goal is to try to
blend both to maximize performance.
Record your settings with the wind speed so you may immediately repeat
them next time. Remember you want to tune the boat to the lighter
conditions you are sailing in.